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North Topsail Beach murder suspect in court

Onslow County Sheriff's deputies escort Bekka Shellhammer into an Onslow County courtroom before her first court appearance Wednesday morning in Jacksonville. Photo by John Althouse/Halifax Media Service

By Katie HansenHalifax Media Service

Published: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 9:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 9:38 p.m.

Family members of a man killed over the summer sat in court Wednesday morning for the first appearance of the woman accused in his death.

Bekka Shellhammer, 19, of N.C. 172 in Sneads Ferry, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder in connection to the July 25 stabbing death of Christopher Stewart, 31, also of Sneads Ferry. Stewart and Shellhammer's husband, 31-year-old Robert Clinton Shellhammer IV, also of Sneads Ferry, were found dead on the beach July 25. Both men died from stab wounds to the neck, according to court documents.

Members of Stewart's family were visibly upset at the proceedings Wednesday morning. Stewart's mother, Shari White, began crying as deputies walked Bekka Shellhammer, clad in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit, into the court room. After the proceedings, White said she was too emotional and did not comment.

Shellhammer faced presiding judge James Moore. Attorney Walter Paramore was assigned to represent Shellhammer, who is accused of killing Stewart with malice aforethought on July 25, according to her arrest warrant.

District Attorney Ernie Lee asked the court to set Shellhammer's bail at $1 million. Paramore asked Moore not to set bail during the hearing. Moore granted Lee's request and issued Shellhammer a secured $1 million bond.

Her preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 9.

Officials responded to a call about 10:40 p.m. July 25 after a possible stabbing on the beach between Ocean Drive and the Village of Stump Sound and found the two men's bodies on the beach. Since that time, authorities said the NTB Police Department and OCSO have worked jointly on the investigation, the first homicide in the town since its 1990 incorporation, according to town officials.

On Sept. 19, NTB Police and OCSO presented their evidence to District Attorney Ernie Lee and Assistant District Attorneys Mike Maultsby and J.B. Askins, who reviewed the evidence and advised the investigators “the evidence clearly indicated sufficient grounds for a charge of murder for Bekka Shellhammer,” according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

According to officials, Shellhammer was arrested at 2 p.m. Tuesday at her residence without incident by North Topsail Beach Police Officer Sgt. Mark Ray and Onslow County Sherriff's Office Det. Sgt. Mark Scott.

<p>Family members of a man killed over the summer sat in court Wednesday morning for the first appearance of the woman accused in his death.</p><p>Bekka Shellhammer, 19, of N.C. 172 in Sneads Ferry, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder in connection to the July 25 stabbing death of Christopher Stewart, 31, also of Sneads Ferry. Stewart and Shellhammer's husband, 31-year-old Robert Clinton Shellhammer IV, also of Sneads Ferry, were found dead on the beach July 25. Both men died from stab wounds to the neck, according to court documents.</p><p>Members of Stewart's family were visibly upset at the proceedings Wednesday morning. Stewart's mother, Shari White, began crying as deputies walked Bekka Shellhammer, clad in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit, into the court room. After the proceedings, White said she was too emotional and did not comment.</p><p>Shellhammer faced presiding judge James Moore. Attorney Walter Paramore was assigned to represent Shellhammer, who is accused of killing Stewart with malice aforethought on July 25, according to her arrest warrant.</p><p>District Attorney Ernie Lee asked the court to set Shellhammer's bail at $1 million. Paramore asked Moore not to set bail during the hearing. Moore granted Lee's request and issued Shellhammer a secured $1 million bond.</p><p>Her preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 9.</p><p>Officials responded to a call about 10:40 p.m. July 25 after a possible stabbing on the beach between Ocean Drive and the Village of Stump Sound and found the two men's bodies on the beach. Since that time, authorities said the NTB Police Department and OCSO have worked jointly on the investigation, the first homicide in the town since its 1990 incorporation, according to town officials.</p><p>On Sept. 19, NTB Police and OCSO presented their evidence to District Attorney Ernie Lee and Assistant District Attorneys Mike Maultsby and J.B. Askins, who reviewed the evidence and advised the investigators “the evidence clearly indicated sufficient grounds for a charge of murder for Bekka Shellhammer,” according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>According to officials, Shellhammer was arrested at 2 p.m. Tuesday at her residence without incident by North Topsail Beach Police Officer Sgt. Mark Ray and Onslow County Sherriff's Office Det. Sgt. Mark Scott.</p>